Thread Roulette: Hallmark Moment

[Event !]

The elementary school students are making cards to donate to people in the hospital and to veterans. Layla Montgomery and Taylor Ward are supervising.

[Layla Montgomery]

Layla was very familiar with Pilot Ridge Elementary. It was where she went to school when she was younger, before her powers manifested (it was actually where her powers manifested), and her mother had worked here since Layla was a little girl. So when the opportunity came up to supervise all the little kiddies while they made adorable cards and crafts came up, Layla immediately volunteered.

She loved little kids, and she would have definitely taught at an elementary school if she hadn’t been accepted for a position at Hammel. Maybe third grade…or second? They were all just so cute and sweet!

She was paired with one other volunteer, and together they were supervising about…forty children, all between the ages of five and eleven. That was a lot of kids, but it wasn’t that bad for two people. The rest of the school had been broken up as well; her mom was floating around here somewhere too, in another classroom. And they were all so busy making their cards that Layla doubted they’d be much trouble. Kids usually only acted out when they were bored, or when they couldn’t do anything fun, but who didn’t think crafts was fun? And it was all for such a good cause.

“That looks beautiful.” Layla said, kneeling down beside a little first grade girl, who was drawing a rainbow on her card. “You should use the sparkly marker to write your message.” She suggested, pointing to the hot pink marker next to her. The little girl enthusiastically agreed, picking up the marker and starting to write in shaky, first grade handwriting. Layla helped her sound out the words as she wrote.

[Dr. Taylor Ward]

When Taylor had agreed with the rest of his social circle to volunteer, he wasn't sure exactly where he was going to be placed, but he was happy to help any way he could. He just pitied whoever ended up working with Nick. His brother had the attention span of a gnat on a good day, and he was sure that wherever he was assigned, he'd make a game out of it.

Thankfully, Taylor was not his brother. Twins or not, they were almost polar opposites, and that was the way he liked it.

When he received his assignment, he had to say he was surprised. He didn't have a whole lot of experience with kids, and for a moment he honestly thought that Nick would be more suited to it than him. Of course, then he realized that Nick would probably get the kids all distracted and lead them in some sort of mini rebellion. This was probably better.

He honestly didn't mind kids, and one day he hoped to have his own. Maybe this would help him get used to being around little kids. He never minded when kids came with their parents to the vet clinic, and usually tried to take extra time to show them what he was doing with their pets. The looks on their faces when they got to do things like hear their dog's heartbeat was always worth the extra few moments in the exam room.

His partner for the day seemed much more at ease than he felt, which made him think she had a lot more experience with kids than he did. Watching her kneel to help a girl out, he smiled and made his way over. The kids seemed to be doing okay so far. "You're really good at this," he said gently once she was finished.

[Layla Montgomery]

After Layla had helped the six year old sound out her short, but so sweet message, she listened to the pigtailed blondie chatter on about what she was going to draw next. After a few minutes of suggestions, the little cutie had eventually decided on a unicorn, as well as one more rainbow. The English teacher stood back up as she reached for a bright purple crayon, drawing something that was really only somewhat reminiscent of a horse.

She looked over as her partner came over beside her, matching his grin with one of her own. Layla had never really spoken with him until today. She vaguely remembered that he’d graduated with Sophia, so he wasn’t too much older than her. Only a few years.

“I’ve had a lot of practice.” Layla admitted. She’d never actually taught the smaller ones, aside from Remi and Elize. Honestly though, she thought the younger grades were so much easier than the older ones. They were always so much happier to see you when you when they walked into the classroom. Most high school students were less than thrilled about school and homework. The kindergarten and first graders always did seem to have more fun.

“You seem to be doing well too though.” She told him encouragingly. She knew a lot of people who’d probably pale at the idea of watching over forty kids, all under the age of eleven. It could definitely be challenging, but they were all pretty entertained for the moment, which made things a bit easier.